Edan Alexander to be Released in US–Hamas Deal, Sidelining Israel

Monday, 12 May 2025 | Hamas announced its intention to release Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli–American soldier held captive in Gaza for 583 days. The decision is described as a goodwill gesture toward US President Trump ahead of his Middle East visit. The move has sparked cautious optimism for renewed hostage-ceasefire negotiations; while raising questions about Hamas’s motivations, Qatar’s mediation role and Israel's exclusion from the negotiations. 

Hamas’s decision to free Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage in Gaza, follows direct talks with US officials, facilitated by Qatar and Egypt. The release is unconditional, with no immediate demands from Hamas, though it appears tied to expectations that President Trump will pressure Israel for a broader deal, potentially including a permanent ceasefire and an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza—in exchange for releasing the remaining 58 hostages, up to 24 of whom are believed to be alive. 

Edan Alexander, born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, was serving in an elite Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) infantry unit near the Gaza border when he was captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. His dual citizenship has made his case a focal point of US diplomacy, with President Trump’s Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, leading negotiations. Witkoff informed Alexander’s parents, Yael and Adi, of their son’s release on Sunday. 

Qatar’s role in brokering Alexander’s release seems to be pivotal, reflecting its growing influence in the Israel–Hamas conflict. The Gulf state, alongside Egypt, has positioned itself as a key intermediary, leveraging its ties with both Hamas and the US to broker deals. Qatar’s mediation is seen as a move to gain favor with President Trump. By facilitating Alexander’s release ahead of President Trump’s visit, Qatar aims to present itself as a constructive partner in US foreign policy as well as secure goodwill in upcoming economic and security discussions. However, this move also appears designed to deepen existing tensions between the US and Israel. Israel was notably excluded from the negotiations—just as it had been during the talks leading to the agreement reached between the US and the Houthis—and reportedly only learned of the deal through its own intelligence channels. This apparent sidelining of Israel by the US, has fueled the perception of discord between the Trump administration and the government of Israel, despite public denials from US officials who insist the bilateral relationship remains solid. 

Hamas’s decision serves its own objectives but also aligns with Qatar’s goals and is evidence that the Gulf state has significant sway over the terror group. Hamas hopes to leverage the Trump administration to pressure Israel into agreeing to a deal to end the war in Gaza, and aims to show itself as a willing negotiator while contrasting itself against Israel’s hard stance. Yet the decision to release Edan Alexander, like Qatar, may also be an attempt to drive a wedge between the US and Israel, capitalizing on reported strains in the alliance in the hope of further weakening Israel’s negotiating position. 

For the US, the release validates President Trump’s diplomatic approach. Yet, the lack of Israeli involvement raises questions about the durability of US-mediated deals that bypass a key stakeholder. The talks, conducted through Witkoff and Adam Boehler, US Special Envoy for Hostage Response, have highlighted Qatar’s ability to act as a bridge between the US and Hamas, but also have the potential to severely marginalize Israel and undermine its influence and security in the region. 

The US diplomatic victory to secure Alexander’s release is being used to criticize Israel, which continues to struggle to secure the release of its remaining hostages. The negotiations, led by Witkoff, seem opaque, with uncertainty around what has been promised to Hamas and whether this breakthrough may be the beginning of a larger agreement to secure more hostages. Witkoff’s proposed framework envisions a 50 to 70-day ceasefire, and starts with the release of 11 hostages, followed by direct Israel–Hamas talks to end the war, with the remaining hostages to be freed on the final day. With the US taking the lead in recent talks, Israel fears an outcome that could be less favorable to its interests. While the release of Alexander offers hope for a wider breakthrough, it deepens Israel’s concerns about US priorities, and the potential undermining of its leverage in future negotiations.